Merry Xmas - Glædelig jul

In Denmark Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve the 24th of December.
Everybody is busy wrapping presents and preparing dinner on the day of Christmas Eve and the children are extremely excited waiting with great anticipation for the evening to arrive.

In the old days it was common to give the animals a special treat on Christmas Eve.
It was widely believed that all animals could talk on this special night, and nobody would like the animals to speak ill of you. Today some families continue that tradition. They go for a walk in the garden, in the park or forest and bring along small goodies for the animals on this very special occasion.

A lot of people attend an early Christmas mass in church before the Christmas dinner not necessarily because they are devoted churchgoers, but because they enjoy the tradition of gathering in church and singing Danish Christmas carols as part of the Christmas spirit.

Most people eat roast duck, roast goose or roast or pork with crackling rinds on Christmas Eve. The duck or goose is stuffed with apples and prunes and served with boiled and sweet potatoes, red cabbage and beets and cranberry jam. The dessert consists of ‘ris à l’amande’ (rice pudding with whipped cream, vanilla and almonds) with hot cherry sauce or ‘risengrød’ (hot rice pudding). A peeled almond is hidden in the dessert bowl and the lucky finder of the almond gets a present.

After Dinner the tree is lit, at last, and everyone joins hands with one another and dances around the tree singing traditional Danish Christmas hymns and carols.

When the children have had quite enough of the singing (and that doesn’t take very long) it is finally time for the unwrapping of gifts.
Normally, one of the children is chosen to select the wrapped presents under the tree and hand them over one at the time so everyone can watch each individual present being unwrapped.
After the last present, it is time for fresh fruit, cookies, home made sweets and coffee.

After a long and enjoyable evening it is time for bed to get up the next day to enjoy lunches with friends and family you couldn't spend Xmas Eve with.

Merry Xmas,glædelig jul from Kakao by K

Holly Willoughby

By Malene Birger dress in grey as seen on Holly Willoughby on This Morning last week available in Kakao by K and online http://bit.ly/hRl1rJ

Lucia

On the 13 December Saint Lucia is celebrated in Scandinavia. Lucia is venerated in a ceremony where a girl is elected to portray Lucia. Wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head, she walks at the head of a procession of women, each holding a candle. The candles symbolize the fire that refused to take St. Lucia's life when she was sentenced to be burned. The women sing a Lucia song while entering the room, to the melody of the traditional Neapolitan song Santa Lucia; the Italian lyrics describe the view from Santa Lucia in Naples, the various Scandinavian lyrics are fashioned for the occasion, describing the light with which Lucia overcomes the darkness.

Each Scandinavian country has lyrics in their native tongues. After finishing this song, the procession sings Christmas carols or more songs about Lucia. A similar version occurs in Scandinavian communities and churches in the United States.

The above picture is from last nigts Lucia procession in the Swedish bar in Joseph Pearce in Edinburgh.... very fun night! The lucia procession takes place every year in Joseph Pearce, so pop in next year if you missed it.

Danish Glögg

During December Kakao by K is open Sundays 12-4pm. Pop in for some warming mulled wine.

In Denmark the traditional version of mulled wine is called Glögg,and is perfect for those long cold evenings.

To make your own follow this easy recipe.



Ingredients:
1 bottle of red wine
0.5 Liter inexpensive brandy, port wine or vodka
10 cardamom pods
3 cinnamon stick (whole)
15 cloves
1/2 orange peel
1/2 lbs sugar
1/2 cup of raisins (soaked in port wine or brandy the night before)
1/2 cup of almonds

Heat the wine, brandy/port wine/vodka with the the spices (cardamon pods, cloves, orange peel, raisins sugar).
Let the mixture simmer for 45 min, but be careful not to bring it to a boil.
Strain the glögg through a colander to remove the additions. Add the raisins and almonds.

Serve the glögg warm.

Merry Xmas love K!

Design by K in focus

Design by K, Kakao’s own handmade jewellery range is all about the delicate look with real stones, nostalgic charms and lockets. When Danish owner design the pieces she uses her Danish design philosophy of clean and simple lines and that often less is more the, end result is effortlessly chic jewellery.

Every week we add to the collection so there are always new and exciting pieces. The prices range from £18-40 for necklace, the collection also has earrings and bracelets at £15-29.

The dainty pieces look really chic with just a plain t-shirt. For a truly unique piece of jewellery you can use our bespoke service where you can incorporate your favourite themes, colours and stones.

Browse some of our styles here or pop in to our boutique on 45 Thistle Street in Edinburgh to see our new designs.